How long after a Grub-Ex treatment until you let the flock out?

[AeroChickens]

I have 5 chicks that just got shipped today, so it will be a while until they are able to help with the grub issue I currently have.

I've been looking into ways of managing the grubs(white chafer) and I'm considering applying grub-ex. However, it sounds like I should avoid applying that if I actively have chickens that will be ranging.

I know the chickens will eat the grubs eventually, but they were just hatched and will take a while before they can do anything. The grub situation seems pretty bad and I'm thinking I should start addressing it now. I have an acre of land and there is lots of dead grass. I dug up a tiny area(like half a shovel) and found over 10 grubs without even really trying.

I'm wondering if I have time to apply it now before the chicks arrive/can go outside? Or should I just grab some BioLogic Scanmask nematodes from amazon and apply that now and let the chickens handle the rest? Or will the chickens(I have 5 easter eggers coming) make quick work of however many grubs I have on my property?

Thanks!

 

[AeroChickens]

I'm just gonna go with the nematodes I think, those will be safest. I hope the chickens like the extra treats they have to hunt for

 

[aart]

I'm just gonna go with the nematodes I think, those will be safest.

Yep.
Milky Spore can be a good grub killer, takes time tho and needs to be applied at the right time of year.

make quick work of however many grubs I have on my property?

Doutbful...but if they do they will tear up the yard pretty badly searching for them.

 

[AeroChickens]

Yep.
Milky Spore can be a good grub killer, takes time tho and needs to be applied at the right time of year.

Milky Spore doesn't affect Chafer grubs from what I've read.

The only options appear to be nematodes(1 billion per acre seems to be the ideal application rate, so like $500), or Grub-Ex which would be much less than that, but I'm not sure how long it will stay around and possible for the chickens to ingest.

I might just grab 100 million nematodes for like $100 and hope that is enough since a handful of companies only recommend 50 million/acre.

I'm also looking into converting my yard into a wildflower meadow, so maybe that will help. Still looking into this, but right now I'm thinking I should apply the nematodes and then lay wildflower seed over the lawn, particularly in areas with grub damage. Hoping I can let the wildflowers take over the rest of the yard from those areas.